Tuesday, 4 February 2025

 Kim O’KEEFFE (Shepparton) (19:07): (973) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Public and Active Transport, and the action I seek is that the minister provides funding for a bus service review for the Shepparton electorate. It has been more than 15 years since our last review, and as you can imagine, my electorate has experienced significant growth during that time. There are a growing number of new housing estates or expanding estates that have no bus services.

Kammy Dhillon, a local business owner, has been advocating for increased bus services. He has a cafe in the Shepparton CBD and has said that he has staff having to get taxis to and from work, which is a significant cost to the staff. Kammy also recently built a house in Kialla, south of Shepparton, and said it was unbelievable that such a large growing estate has no bus transport services. Dysons bus company is also really frustrated because they want to support the community and provide more transport services and grow their business.

It is unbelievable to think that this review is taking so long. Currently, services on Saturdays are limited and there are no services provided on Sundays. On top of this, there is only one bus, which services the train station on the hour, but it does not align with the V/Line timetable. Public transport is a lifeline and an affordable option for many, including the elderly, youth and non-drivers. People need to get to where they need to go, whether it be to work or medical appointments; it is a community necessity. When the government released the Victorian bus plan in 2021, the then minister at the time, now Deputy Premier, said that this would include the regions and that the government was committed to a bus network that better meets public transport needs and demand. Well, that is not happening in my electorate, where the need for review is desperately needed. I request that the minister supports my community’s needs and funds a bus service review for Shepparton as soon as possible.